Parshat Shoftim Elul 5768-2008 “When you shall besiege a city for a long time in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by forcing an axe against them, for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for the tree of the field is like a man…” The Torah compares the soul of man to the life force of the fruit bearing tree. This is done on the backdrop of the battlefield of our parsha(weekly portion). Our sages bring down that the armed conflict of war is won when the arm and head become partners against the adversary. This is best demonstrated in the mitzvah of tefillin that are worn on the arm and head – the symbols of true righteousness and judgment in serving Hashem. When man wears the tefillin he can remove false pride and concentrate his intentions on not what he has achieved, but that that the Almighty brings him his achievement. He knows (in his head as he ties his arm) that Hashem is totally there for him, his appeal to arms is in the name of G-d. This is the connection between the arm and head at the hands of faith. Every morning when this is done it is likened to pouring water into the soul, revitalizing it and bringing it to life. A perfect example of this is King David who managed all of his operations and maneuvers (including in his personal life) in complete faith. He lived a life of complete self sacrifice, and was preserved because of his direct grasp of the concept of Hashem leading his victory. (We remember when he comes against Goliath he says that he doesn’t come by himself but in the name of Hashem who will fight the battle). David perceived that all of reality relies totally on Him- Hashem, examples of trials being family issues (in which there were many), usual kingly duties and intrigues, standard offense warfare, preventive warfare, to other realms of psychological warfare like contending with the yeitzer hara(evil urge). He wrote his book of Psalms as a direct response to these threats, demonstrating completely receiving the yoke of heaven. This perception of the Divine brought him to an embodiment of complete victory in ALL of his wars. When a person is faced with torment, whether it be on his job, within his family, close environment, or on a wider range like government, national, international, he can win when he cancels his self will (ratzon atzmi). This rectifies him and brings him to a higher place. When he stands stubbornly stuck in the predicament, sure of his being shortchanged, right, unforgiving, feeling no justice- he cannot win. How does the tree fit in here? The Ba’al Shem Tov brings down from the holy Zohar that food is full of spiritual sparks. Therefore without knowing why a person becomes hungry he has an inner need to receive these sparks, more than just physical hunger. Plants, fruits and vegetation are on a higher level than meat. They are witnesses to the shorshut elokit- of Hashem rooting himself in the lower world. Hashem built this lower world on the crust of earth in order for us to feel Him. If He would disguise Himself in heaven, it would only be for angels to enjoy Him. Here we feel Him. A tree has arms that reach down and drink the life force found in the lower levels of the earth. If there is no water, there is no fruit. A person serves Hashem through yeitzer tov but the real test is can we serve him when there us a war within us, when we have a yeitzer ra, when we are on a lower step? Our job is to win the war by climbing humbly back up the steps. This is a strong form of worship because serving G-d does not only happen when we are clear headed, level headed. Winning the war occurs when we feel so low, we actually reach to the roots, the lowest place in the low world even covered by the crust. Then we triumph. We are standing in preparation for the Days of Judgment and a new year. We are in the month of Elul. This is a good time to fix and forgive. Let bygones be bygones. A person is likened to a tree. In order to grow he needs water. It doesn’t matter if it’s tap water, mineral water, Perrier, Holy water or even dirty water. It all works because in all cases the tree, as long as it is watered gives sweet fruit. “I will make thee and the environs of My hill a blessing. I will send rain in its season, rains that bring blessing. The trees of the field shall yield their fruit and the Land shall yield its produce and My people shall be secure on its own soil”- Ezekiel 34:26-28 Let us imitate this imagery. If dirty water is dumped on you, you can react as if it were any other water. You can cancel torment, swallow your pride and win the war. This is the water of life. The head of the tree gives fruit but the arms bring it life sustenance from the low places of the earth. (Does this remind you of the double blessing given to the portion of Josef?) Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
Category: Written Teachings
Parshat Pinchas July 18, 2008 In the late 1800’s an officer in the British army and an avid researcher of biblical sites, by the name of Charles Wilson published an important book called ” The Illustrated Land of Israel” including pictures of the famous “Wilson Arch” discovered by Wilson adjacent to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In this book in section2 page 4 there is documentation, including a series of pictures drawn by Wilson of the village of Awarta, just southeast of the city of Shechem- or what the Jewish people have called from time immemorial Givat (the hill) Pinchas. In the book, he writes about the mossy stoney gravesites of the High Priests Elazar and Itamar (the sons of Aharon),and the shade of the huge trees that covered the structure of the gravesite of Pinchas, the star of this week’s parsha. This is the last remaining picture we have of Kever Pinchas for in 1955 the local arab mosque was transformed into something larger, and its construction eradicated the sacred landmark of Pinchas. The last passuk of the book of Joshua brings us to this site:”And Elazar the son of Aharon died and they buried him in the hill of Pinchas his son, which was given him in Mount Ephraim” (Joshua 24/33) Wilson was not the first to investigate Givat Pinchas. Many dark age religious figures, Christian and Jewish visited the site. Josephus writes about Givat Pinchas calling it GABATHA (for Giva-hill). In 1213 the Muslim geographer Shiaab Adin Yakut describes Awarta (the arab name for the site) as the resting place of Itamar, Elazar, Pinchas and the 70 elders.. Nachmanidis, the great torah scholar moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1267. One of his students came to Israel to visit him and wrote a journal in 1280 which has been preserved in the library of Leningrad. He speaks about his visit to the Shomron, his meeting with the Samaritans, the tomb of Joseph, and traveling southeast to the resting places of Itamar, Elazar and Pinchas. He also gives a detailed account of the catacomb graves of the 70 elders. Rabbi Yitzchak ben Alpra from Malaga Spain came in 1441 and wrote a detailed account of Givat Pinchas. “…and from there we went to Awarta, and there Elazar the High Priest- a huge monument built on his site. One day we discovered a huge museleum built bigger than 100 ama- the resting place of Pinchas and Avishua his son.This edifice leans unto the mosque. Not far from there, Itamar. The place is close to the city of Shechem. Skipping over to 1621, the holy Shlah Hakadosh in his book “the 2 tablets” writes about the week of parshat Toldot in which he visits Yosef Hatzaddik in Shechem, Yehoshua Bin Nun in Kfil Charess (Timnat Serach) and Givat Pinchas- all in the Land of Ephraim. The list is endless including Rabbi Smuel Grunim Katz that came to live in Pekiin in 1778. He writes excitedly about visiting Givat Pinchas.In 1839 Moshe Montifiore and his wife Yehudit made many excursions to the Land of Israel. Yehudit writes in her memoirs:”…We left the city of Shechem and reached the environs of Awarta and began to visit the gravesites of the tzaddikim. The first, Pinchas. There were many insciptions in the Kuti language there, as well as Arabic and hebrew. Our guide translated all of these to us. There are ancient huge trees there and many caves…” At the conclusion of the 6 day war, the chief Rabbinate of the Israeli army, who were responsible for holy sites liberated in the war, arrived at Givat Pinchas (Awarta).They cleaned up refuse dumped there and rehabilitated the holy sites. Extensive archeological research was done on the site, much of which information taken in this article is from their archives. Since 1967, over 60,000 people visited Givat Pinchas until the Oslo accords ended the visits and relinquished it to the hostile local Arabs who desecrate the graves and pour garbage there. The ministry of religious affairs occasionally enter Awarta to clean up and paint the tombs, usually prior to the once a year permit to enter on the first day of Av, the yartzeit of Aharon the High Priest. From my perspective, many jewish people have returned to live in the Land of Ephraim. The community of Itamar faces (hill paralleling hill) the old large stones that serve as monuments to the true owners of the Land. The descendents of Itamar, Elazar and Pinchas’s lineage have returned and are here to stay. · much information for this article was taken from the archives (hebrew) · Agudat Shechem Echad- 2003 –Yigal Amitai Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
King Balak forms a union with the neighboring nations in order to attack Am Yisrael. Much publicity has been given to the great and mighty nation that brought about the fall of the Egyptian empire. The pact made between Midyan and Moav in fact was not coming out of a goodwill aspiration for complete world harmony. Actually, they came together to challenge Am Yisrael and challenge the will of Hashem’s kingship in the world (much like building the tower of Babel). Little do they realize though that they are subservient to Israel’s destiny.
Balak seeks to use Bilam, the soothsayer, in cursing Am Yisrael and bringing about it’s demise. ALL of these plans however boomeranged and Bilam became the agent of assistance to Am Yisrael. His curses became blessings. When we first meet Bilam we see that his heart is sealed, even though he knew Hashem. When his she-ass spoke to him he persisted in his obstinate attitude that maybe he would prevail over Hashem! What Bilam didn’t know was that Hashem’s love for Am Yisrael is not dependent on any circumstance. (Luckily for Am Yisrael because even before the end of this parsha they are already involved in the Ba’al Peor drama!)
Parshat Balak, more than any other parsha in the entire Torah intimates the meaning of redemption, the suggestion of what will happen in the days of Mashiach when the nations of the world will try to come together against Israel, will try to curse it- but to no avail. We wait for the cue and almost see its prompt coming. If we can properly internalize what Bilam said even earlier, this reinforces our need for the Land of Yosef.- “Balak has brought me me’harerey Kedem”. Rabbi Hillel Lieberman brings down on this passuk – “Harerey Kedem – umiMeged Givot Olam “- Dueteronomy 33-15- In the heart of the Land of Yosef, the source of the blessings and curses, HarGerrizim and Har Eval, the mountains of the blessings and curses…. Even in his subconscious Bilam knew the curses would turn into blessings – “These shall stand upon Mount Gerizzim to bless the people…”- Dueteronomy 27-12
Dear Readers, Complete world harmony can only happen when we ourselves know and understand these places spoken about. They are the source of blessing to all of Am Yisrael wherever they may be.
Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
“Send people to the Land of Canaan”
The Land of Israel is the inheritance of our forefathers and was planned by Hashem for the Jewish people from the very beginning of time. It is the Land that Hashem oversees from the first day of the year to the last, a place of Divine destiny- the intended homeland for Israel. The question arises then, how can it be called Eretz Canaan? Canaan is the name of a foreign pagan tribe. There must be a purpose in using this name, hiding in fact the real substance of what this land really is. It is said about G-d, “Al tastir panecha”- “Do not hide your face”. This phenomenon may be compared to the virtues of Eretz Yisrael. Seeing is believing but what do we see? What do we look for? The genuine revelation of the Holy Land comes into view when it is called “Aretz”. Ergo, the torah in this passuk calls it “Eretz Canaan” as if it belonged to a foreign people. Now is the time to investigate, check and clarify. We are not spying here, but we are asking what is this “double identity”? The entire world, even today if not more so, stops a minute and thinks. The wicked blunder and deceive, confusing the facts. They say the Land belongs to someone else, that we have come and conquered it, when in truth it was designated for Am Yisrael the same day that Hashem looked into the torah and created the world. So, why Canaan?
This was the test of the spies.
The root of the sin of the spies was that they believed their mission was to conquer the Land from its inhabitants, the 7 nations. (Canaani, Perizzi, Chivi, Yevusi, Chitti, Amaleki…) The spies felt that the Land was strange to them. What did they see? Giants, huge fruit, many funerals and a base and lowly pagan people. There the people “sat”( superficially speaking) upon the Land. However, they had no internal contingency. “Veyashavtem Ba”- “And you will live IN the Land”-! The spies held by the saying “What you see is what you get”- instead of, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. How many of us do this all the time! Even those of us who live here and sacrifice a zillion things for it!
In the name of Harav Hillel Lieberman, HYD[see link] on parshat Shlach- Where does the word “spies” originate? Does it bring us to a dיjא vu of another story in our Torah? When Yosef Hatzaddik finally met with his brothers he said, “Meraglim Atem!”- “You are spies!” This was said because their attitude was one of strangeness to him. What, a brother doesn’t know a brother?” Come on! Instead of coming to him and belonging to him, they were strange. The spies (aside from Calev and Yehoshua) acted like outsiders instead of connecting in unity with the legacy. Calev and Yehoshua perceived the Land for what it was and called it The Land of Milk and Honey. The spies saw giants and Calev and Yehoshua saw a very very good Land. They saw that the Land itself raised a great and awesome people, all the more so if the intended people, Am Yisrael, would inherit it as Hashem planned, they would grow to be a great and mighty nation
May this be “mussar heskel” for all of us in all realms- This is the bottom line…
Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
The book of Bamidbar opens with Hashem commanding Moshe Rabeynu to count the nation. And G-D spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai in the tabernacle of the covenant, the first day of the second month, the second year of their going out of Egypt, saying: Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one.” Interestingly, only a half a year went by since the last census took place. The previous population survey occurred after the sin of the Golden Calf in order to determine how many people survived the punishment. If one compares the results of this poll to the prior one mentioned in Parashat Pikuday, he will find that the sum is identical to the one mentioned here. These facts, the proximity of the polls and their identical numbers make us question the necessity of this survey? Rashi in his commentary on the verse solves the problem when he explains that this census was conducted as a display of Hashem’s love for his people. “He counts us out of his fondness towards us.” In other words there was no other reason for the poll other then a pure display of Hashem’s love towards His people. This is supported by the fact that there was no other logical reason to conduct a poll at this time. Nevertheless, a question still remains to be answered. Why is counting the nation considered an act of affection? In the laws of Hilchot Taarovot (mixtures of non-kosher food with Kosher food) there is a law that teaches us that anything that is numbered in not nullified even if there is a thousand times the amount of kosher food as compared with the non-kosher. In other instances we know that everything is nullified when there is 60 times the non-kosher element. We learn from this that number reveals the importance of the things they represent. By counting something you are revealing its importance, its inner essence.
Interestingly, the Nazis who wanted to eradicate the Jewish nation didn’t want to relate to the Jews as a people and instead they tattooed a number on their arms. This was and act of the dark side. Those who follow Hashem and His Torah don’t accept the concept of just another number. The number testifies that something very special stands behind it that it being represented by this digit. It is for this reason that our Rabbis place great emphasis on counting letters and relating the spiritual meanings and connections to their numerical value. (Gematriah) We are taught that the 600,000 letters in the Torah are the 600,000 souls of our people. Just as if a letter is missing in a sefer Torah it is not fitted for use in the same way one soul that is not shining its special light affects the entire world. The oldest know Kabblalistic work called the book of creation, Sefer Yizirah, calls these letters building stones and that with each additional letter the number of permutations grows. With only one letter this is only one possible permutation, with 2 letters there are 2, with 3 there are 6, with 4 there are 24, with 5 there are 120, with 6 there are 720, and with 7 there are 5040 possibilities and so on. Each and every additional letter adds another spiritual dimension that is vital to the world’s success and prosperity. This same idea is reflected in the special Mitzvah of preparing ourselves for Matan Torah. By counting the 49 days from Pesach to Shivuot we are revealing the importance of each and every day. Each day blessed with a unique spiritual energy allows us to make the proper spiritual preparations for receiving the Torah. If, G-D forbid, we leave out one day in could have a detrimental result on our preparation for Matan Torah. May be we all merit in a complete and joyous counting and to again ascend to our Holy Temple in the City Jerusalem with the first fruits(Bikurim) Amen.
Shabbat Shalom- Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith
Lag Baomer has always been a great day in itself; before the days of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochay, and even before the counting of the Omer. It is the day that judgment is changed into mercy. On this day, after finally leaving the exile with his wives, children, much cattle and sheep, Ya’akov built a monument that he positioned between his camp and Lavan’s. It is called the Gal Ed. (Gal is numerically equivalent to 33) The relationship between Ya’akov and Lavan was much like Am Yisrael in Mitzrayim (that left their servitude in great wealth). On the 33rd day of their Exodus, in the interval between the physical birth from Egypt and the spiritual birth of receiving the Torah, they experienced complete liberty in its entirety from Mitzrayim on a level unique only to that day the 18th of Iyar). This day symbolizes the relinquishment of any foreign nation’s official occupation of Am Yisrael. This falls out on Lag Baomer- the day Lavan and Mitzrayim are subdued.
The Arizal brings down that Bilam Harasha was the gilgul(reincarnation) of Lavan. Bilam lived lag (33) years. His entire goal as the head of the mixed multitudes was to reverse the process of redemption of Am Yisrael and return them to Egypt. He wanted to cause the Jewish people to be in eternal galut, as all of our enemies have tried through time to do. But what Bilam didn’t know was that Am Yisrael return only to Hashem.
A person can attain spirituality through 3 channels. 1) his/her spirit (what he hears, what he learns and how this affects him 2) the holiness of time, the virtues of the holidays 3) the holiness of a certain place and the influence it has on a person’s da’at. That special feeling of Shabbat- we cannot take with us into Sunday. The healing power it gives we can’t feel on a Wednesday. We don’t mix holidays and their specific significance. A lulav and etrog can’t be used on Chanukah and on Shavuot we don’t make a seder. – When we go to a holy place like Israel and kivrey tzadikim(the tombs of the righteous) we experience real and unique impressions on our psyche. But later, maybe not the next day but later, the original magic of what we felt when we were there ebbs…. You can’t take that place with you! (unless you decide to live there).
Lag Baomer is all encompassing in these 3 components. It is unique in this and makes it an extremely special day indeed. On a kabbalistic level it is the HodshebaHod (splender of splender), the time to know what to know and the time not to know what you don’t need to know. The inner nefesh (soul) as a whole receives its vitality on this day. True happiness is connecting to the roots so that the branches can spread out. This is done through the da’at, the root of roots.
Esav is called straw. The house of Ya’akov- fire and the house of Yosef, a great flame. The fire and flames of our forefathers will totally eliminate Amalek (and our doubts) in the merit of this day!
(taken from the teachings of the great tzaddik Harav Chaim Hacohen).
Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
Bahar- Lag Ba’Omer May 16, 2008 Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochay was one of the five surviving students of Rabbi Akiva that all died between Pesach and the Atzeret. It is brought down that these 24,000 students perished because of not honoring one another in the way of speech. Instead of saying good and encouraging things and finding good points in each other, they fell into disapprobation, criticism and condemnation. This was known as the “dark, dark time of dispute.” It was so dark that it was actually impossible to see one another, the core of the problem. The rectification for this was the teachings of Rabbi Shimon who is called the “Bootzina Kadisha”, the holy candle. Whatever he said, gave light. In the holy Zohar, Rabbi Shimon tells his talmidim, “Ana, bechavivuta taley-” “all of our success depends on an amiable attitude, and being pleasant.” This affects our relationships so that we can all become vessels that bring down Divine light and make the world a brighter place. This is why we light the bonfire on Lag Ba’omer, in the merit of Rabbi Shimon who brought a great light through his teachings. In Kabbalah, Da’at is the key tool needed to see and speak only good things. When a person is on the level of da’at, then he can transmit thought processes positively into speech. When a person looses his da’at, or has not attained it- he dips into foolishness- much of this is furnished by the negative side of his imagination. It is critical to know that what we say to people can either “Make them or break them.” What we say to our children builds them. What we say to our students, if not said with the utmost sensitivity can leave a blemish on them for the rest of their lives. What we say to our parents, and the Torah marks a special mitzvah in this- is one of the Ten Commandments! How we relate to our spouses, neighbors, communities and the world at large, but Rabbi Shimon says that it starts with what we say to ourselves. Dear Readers, After celebrating 60 years of independence I feel compelled in the wake of this Torah to say, hopefully from the place of da’at, a few comments on this country we have been living in for the last 23 years. It has become pretty commonplace to see people with a “thumbs down” attitude. In many conversations there’s a lot of ostracizing. Especially for those of us who hold the Land dear and can’t fathom why the State at large does not share these same values. Gush Katif, a thriving region of proud Jewish people was plowed down only to become the forefront of Katusha rockets aimed at urban centers. The north Shomron communities that were evacuated now stand empty, closed military zones that almost touch our major power plants. Why? Mistakes, terrible mistakes have been made. Corruption reeks from our Prime Minister’s office. There is no leadership, and no hasbara. Those that want to wipe out Israel have become the “negotiators” and the settlers are constantly being portrayed as the bad guys. What is up is down and what is down is up. (A sure sign of the redemptive process!) I believe that this is all a test. We certainly pray to Hashem not to test us anymore. Can we step out of this darkness and also see the above nature things that are happening here too? Eretz Yisrael is giving her fruit beayin yafa- the bounty is mesmerizing. It is expensive for sure- but what were people eating 60 years ago here? The fruits and vegetables from the good earth are larger, tastier and beshefa (in abundance)more than any other time in history. The variety of people that live here from very black to very white from every country of the 4 corners of the world sends chills of excitement down my spine. Prophesies are coming true every day. The Land is calling her people home to her. In the last 10 years one million olim chadashim (new immigrants) have been absorbed by 5 million. That’s like America absorbing 60 million people! Can this be fathomed?! Israel’s economy is growing in leaps and bounds. The superhighways, buildings, buildings, bridges and yes- the hilltops of the Shomron are all going up before our very eyes. We are not an oil rich country but our minds are our assets. High tech and satellite industries are flourishing. Our army is strong, and a wonderful melting pot of all young people who meet and bond patriotically. It has won many wars when all the odds were against them. The chesed (kindness committees) that have been set up and working are testimony to a true torah loving people. Speaking of Torah, Israel is today the largest Torah learning center of the entire world. Ki Mitzion tetzeh Torah! Israel is a beautiful country that continues to grow. Come and see it, come and join it and help make it a better place. Please help this process by shining your distinct light! Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
Pekudey- Vayikra March 14, 2008
Dedicated to the Kdoshim meMercaz Harav
The tabernacle was built and dismantled many times on the journey through the desert. Mainly, this is the theme of worship and our relationship with Hashem. Although the structure is taken apart, we- then too are marching forward and never giving up in hope and faith. Our wants and yearnings for faith start with a small step with each step we are adding on to the building of our spiritual world; Hashem is satisfied with each and every move forward because our effort is dear to him. Even today when the Temple is dismantled, just a broken physical remnant hidden with confusion under a golden husk- the main thing is never to give up hope in faith. Although we don’t see the building standing, (May it be rebuilt speedily in our days) Our efforts in worshiping Hashem that are a result of our inner will are the foundation that will with pave the way for its restoration. The Divine service that is the springboard for worship is ratzon(will). Ratzon is an extreme force. It is our spirit, soul and life force because nothing stands in the way of will. All of wants and yearnings we feel should all eventually stream to Hashems’s will. This means being be’shalom (at peace) in our hearts in our relationships, to feel goodness, to see the beautiful, to know that the clouds eventually clear away to reveal a blue sky and forward, forward, forward we march and strive to be better, more improved, happier with what we have in every realm of our lives.
After our holy Temple was destroyed 2,000 years ago, the great Rabbis of that time had the ability to pass over the knowledge and reality that we are never alone, even when the house is broken up. Hashem is always with us, whether the house is standing completely erect or not standing at all, and we are always on the way, even if we stop for a while and “dismantle”- it is only temporary. This is how it was in the desert, this is how it is.
Sacrificing was the main avoda (Divine service) in the tabernacle. Nefesh tachat nefesh. (a soul for a soul) When a person brought a sacrifice he would reach the level of deep teshuva (repentance) when he saw the animal being sacrificed instead of himself. This was an animal he bought with his own mamon-money. Since a person’s possessions are a major part of his nefesh(soul) and he has to give up a part in order to buy the sacrifice, this is called self sacrifice. When he reaches into his pocket and burns the sacrifice on the altar his yeitzer (evil inclination) is atoned for. The Levites in their holy garb playing the holy music and song would be the backdrop to the very mood of the teshuva transformation. A person has now become better, holier, and just like he cannot sacrifice an animal with a defect; he too cannot have any defect in his middot (character), seychel (intelligence), or nefesh. He deeply reflects into himself in order to achieve this spiritual achievement- it is by no means attained through a simple sacrifice. Now he reaches Tzelem Elokim (image of G-d).
Our prayers replace the sacrifices today. Hashem is was and always will be with us, listening to us, guiding us, helping us and bringing us ever so closer to a geula shlayma. (final redemption)
Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith
Dear Readers, A few years ago, my husband and I and some of our children went to demonstrate against the disengagement from Gaza- what in essence was actualized in the dismantling of Gush Katif and handing over that exquisite place to Chamas. On the way we drove through Ashkelon amazed at the beautiful marina on the sea and the luxury apartment buildings that have sprouted up over the last 2 decades. There were dove shaped, blue signs everywhere – “Ashkelon is for peace”. It was the blues of “peace” and the oranges of “no Land for “peace” ” in those days. People still wear their symbolic orange strings. They hang in people’s cars, on pocketbooks, knapsacks, doorways….but the blue signs in Ashkelon have been replaced with emergency sirens and posters with instructions about what to do in case of bombs falling. What a spring! The struggle for the Land of Israel continues. It is so painful when you think about how all of this could have been prevented if only there had been enough foresight. The south of Israel is exploding , the north – always an imminent cloud hovering over its communities and their safety, terrorists in the form of “Israeli citizens” born and bred in Jerusalem, exploding in the country’s capital in our yeshivas. We say and continue to say that we only console ourselves with those healthy minded individuals like you that love the Land of Israel. We, here in Itamar, in the very heart of the country – the heart that provides life sustenance to the entire body, can’t emphasize how important it is to be involved in helping to change the situation. We have to spread the word as much as we can. Spring with Purim and Passover on the way is a time of birth. A nation is born and has a mission to accomplish. A person is also born into reality with a target destination, much like a person born into a ship at sea. Sometimes the sea is tranquil, sometimes stormy- we don’t know why the weather fluctuates or even when we will reach port. So, we can act in three ways- 1) some people decide to jump off the ship and swim away from it, avoiding their reality and destiny and their connection to their crew. 2) some will play chess, drink beer, wherever the ship sways – so be it, go with the flow, but avoid effort or strategic thinking 3) and some people will take “the bull by the horns” and grab the oars to help direct the ship to its destiny. Grab an oar – let’s work together, with Hashem’s help, for the future of nation, the Land, and dock at the final redemption!
Purim Sameach Leah Goldsmith Itamar
On Tu B’Shvat the source of potential growth in all spheres of life awakens. The tree in the field stands bare exposed to cold, wind, and rain. The prospect of sprouting buds and flowering blossoms seems far from possible but it is on this wintry and dormant day that a new life force is surging forth. We celebrate Tu B’Shvat for the first day of this process that is under way. Soon the trees will be adorned with leaves and fruit. It a day of blessings on the bounty of the Land and when blessing this abundance, Hashem in return pours down the plenty and blesses us back.
When we sow, till plant and reap (not on a shmita year), we can easily get mixed up and say, “I have worked so hard! This is my doing- my accomplishment!” One must know that man is a vessel through which Hashem brings down and bestows upon the world all of its affluence. Tu B’shvat is also an analogy to the redemptive process that begins at the darkest hour of Jewish History. The trees have shredded their leaves and everything is dormant which creates an atmosphere of hopelessness. Suddenly spring bursts forth with all of its splendor. Our generation has had the amazing merit to witness the Hatchalta Hageula(beginning of redemption) From the ashes of the Holocaust we have returned home and are eating from the fruits of the land. May Hashem open up our eyes to see and focus on the goodness of the Israel and may it continue to grow and prosper!
Shabbat Shalom,
Leah Goldsmith Itamar